At Least 6 Herders Killed as Violence Erupts in Somaliland's Sanaag Region

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 28 August 2024 15:42

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At Least 6 Herders Killed as Violence Erupts in Somaliland's Sanaag Region

Hargeisa, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) — At least six herders were killed this week in the Sanaag region of Somaliland, as violence erupted in and around the town of Goof, situated about 80 kilometers from Erigabo city.

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Hargeisa, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) — At least six herders were killed this week in the Sanaag region of Somaliland, as violence erupted in and around the town of Goof, situated about 80 kilometers from Erigabo city.

The killings occurred on Tuesday when gunmen attacked a small village near Goof, triggering a wave of unrest that has significantly heightened tensions in the region.

The initial attack, which claimed the lives of five herders, was followed by a revenge attack in Erigabo city on Wednesday, making the situation increasingly volatile. In response to the escalating violence, the Sanaag regional administration issued a curfew starting from 4 PM on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Erigavo city, as tensions rose in and around the regional capital.

The Government of Somaliland, in an official statement released today, expressed deep concern over the outbreak of hostilities, blaming militia groups allegedly aiming to destabilize the region ahead of Somaliland's upcoming elections in November.

"The Government of the Republic of Somaliland categorically condemns these aggressions by anti-Somaliland militia forces," the statement declared. "We call upon the international community to take immediate notice of this attack, which poses a grave threat to regional peace and security."

The press release indicated that these hostilities are believed to be orchestrated by Ahmed Karaash, a former vice president of the Puntland administration.

Somaliland authorities warned that these actions pose a significant threat not only to Somaliland's peace but also to the broader stability of the Horn of Africa region.

The Sanaag region is divided between areas controlled by Somaliland and Puntland. Recent developments have added to the complexity of the situation, particularly with the Warsangali/Daarood clans, primarily those in the diaspora, announcing the formation of a new federal member state called Maakhir during a conference held in Mogadishu.

Somaliland has accused the Somali Federal Government and Puntland of orchestrating the unrest in the region, though neither Puntland nor the Somali government has commented on the matter yet.